Madonna among Rock Hall of Fame nominees

NEW YORK (AP) — Here's something Madonna can really celebrate: a nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

NEW YORK (AP) — Here's something Madonna can really celebrate: a nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Madge joins heartland rocker John Mellencamp, the puckish rappers Beastie Boys and premier dance acts Donna Summer and Chic among the nine nominees for the hall.

The five leading vote-getters will be inducted in the annual ceremony March 10, 2008, at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

The other nominees are rap pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, literate songwriter Leonard Cohen, the original British Invasion combo The Dave Clark Five and surf rock instrumentalists The Ventures.

The nominations illustrate how far the Hall of Fame has stretched its definition of rock 'n' roll to incorporate a variety of musical styles.

It's certainly the case with Madonna, the Michigan-native who burst out of New York dance clubs in the early 1980s with "Holiday" and soon became a pop culture icon. She scored 17 Top 10 hits in the 1980s alone and is due to put out an album next year.

The Beastie Boys molded punk rock and rap into the goofy hit "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right to Party." They became critical favorites and are still together, releasing an instrumental album this year.

Indiana's own Mellencamp can fill a barrel with rock hits like "Hurts So Good," "Pink Houses" and "R.O.C.K. in the USA." Like Chic and the Dave Clark Five, he's been nominated before without getting into the hall.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actress Michelle Rodriguez violated probation again in a drunken driving case by failing to complete her community service and not following an alcohol education program, prosecutors said.

Rodriguez went to court Friday to answer to the latest claims by the city attorney's office, which said the former "Lost" actress submitted a document stating she performed community service on Sept. 25, 2006, but later admitted she was actually in New York City that day.

The document was required as part of the 30 days of community service Rodriguez was ordered to serve for violating probation in a 2003 drunken driving case, according to court papers filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

If she is found to have violated terms of her probation, Rodriguez could face between 477 to 537 days in county jail and a $2,000 fine.

Rodriguez, 29, kept quiet in court as her attorney, Richard Beale, argued that she performed 30 days of community service and said "a clerical error" caused the discrepancy in the paperwork.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alan Ladd Jr., the Academy Award-winning producer and former 20th Century Fox head who green-lighted "Star Wars," was honored Friday with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"It's lovely to be here among my friends and family," Ladd said at the ceremony for the 2,348th star.

Ladd's father, the late actor Alan Ladd, also has a Walk of Fame star.

Mel Brooks praised the man known to many as "Laddie."

"He is one of the sweetest and nicest guys and he has saved my life many times. If anybody deserves a star, it's this legendary, incredible, iconic filmmaker," Brooks said.

Born in Los Angeles, Ladd, 69, became an agent in the '60s to clients including Judy Garland and Warren Beatty before going into producing.

After heading up creative affairs for 20th Century Fox, he became the studio's president.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — After a year of nasty allegations, country singer Sara Evans was granted a divorce Friday on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

Williamson County Judge R.E. Lee Davies announced the agreement at a hearing.

The two sides agreed on a joint custody plan for their three children and a split of marital assets. Evans also agreed to pay ex-husband Craig Schelske alimony of at least $500,000 over 10 years.

"Both parties are fully committed to raising their children in a cooperative and positive way. Both parties are loving and caring parents," said a brief statement filed with the court by the lawyers for both sides. "They request that everyone respect the family's privacy."

Evans, 36, filed for divorce last October after 13 years of marriage, alleging that Schelske committed adultery, was verbally and emotionally abusive, drank excessively and frequently watched pornography in their home.

Schelske denied all the allegations and responded in court documents that Evans filed for divorce the same day he discovered she was having an extramarital affair.

Schelske, a native of Salem, Ore., ran for Congress as a Republican from Oregon's 5th District in 2002.

Evans of Boonville, Mo., made her recording debut in 1997 and her 2000 album "Born to Fly" went double-platinum. Her hits include "Perfect," "Suds in the Bucket" and "Real Fine Place to Start."

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